FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

3200

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


Estimating the potential impact on revenue of this proposal is difficult to do, because of the unknown reaction by the license buying public. The Law Enforcement Section’s funding levels do not permit the hiring of additional officers. If funding could be obtained an estimate of costs is included.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2005
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2006
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 2,236,658 2,236,658
Personal Services 0 2,231,658 2,231,658
Current Expenses 0 5,000 5,000
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Average Officer Per hour cost = $24.31 Officers required to enforce proposal = 85 Enforcement hours required weekly = 60 Total Weeks of stocking = 18 $24.31 X 85 X 18 X 60= $2,231,658 $5,000 cost for posted stream signs



Memorandum


The DNR’s major concern is the costs associated with enforcing the closed period on the rivers and streams would require significant personnel time on behalf of the Law Enforcement Section. The DNR’s funding levels do not allow for the hiring of additional law enforcement staff. The DNR would have to divert officers from current assignments, which could cause negative public reaction on other enforcement matters and could interfere with their Homeland Security and Emergency Response duties. The requirement for publishing dates of stocking may attract anglers to poach because the proposal would be difficult to enforce. Published stocking dates may be inaccurate, because of weather and equipment impediments. This could lead to confusion among anglers.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Keith Wilson
    Email Address: kwilson@dnr.state.wv.us